Bucs QB Baker Mayfield (knee) improving, NT Vita Vea (foot) injured

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was a full practice participant Thursday as he seeks to recover from a sore knee.

Mayfield was limited in Wednesday’s walkthrough just two days after Tampa Bay lost 24-9 to the host Detroit Lions.

Mayfield said the Buccaneers are eager to get back on the field against the host New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

“If you lose, you want to get out there quicker rather than later to get it out of your system,” Mayfield told reporters Thursday. “Especially when you have a group like we have, they understand what we have to do to get the job done to find wins. Our guys will handle it the right way, heal up as quick as we can and go from there.”

While Mayfield is healing, two-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea (foot) has joined the long list of players on the team’s injury report. He missed practice Thursday after not being part of the report Wednesday.

Vea’s addition gives Tampa Bay 18 players on the report.

Running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and receiver Chris Godwin (fibula) have already been ruled out for Sunday and linebacker Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) is expected to miss multiple games, according to coach Todd Bowles.

Reserve quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (teeth) joined the quartet of Vea, Irving, Godwin and Reddick in missing practice Thursday.

Among the players making progress are linebacker Lavonte David (knee/rib), receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (toe). That trio was among six players who missed practice due to injury Wednesday but were limited participants on Thursday.

The long list of players on the report doesn’t include receiver Mike Evans (broken collarbone), who was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media